ABSTRACT
Returning to Vienna, Hollein quickly found a forum at the Galerie St. Stephan. Why did this art gallery, run by the maverick Catholic priest Monsignore Otto Mauer, become so important for artistic and architectural avant-garde developments in Austria? The Vienna Actionists certainly considered their artwork to be a direct response to the gallery’s provocations. For Hollein, the gallery provided the first outlet for his work and brought him into contact with others of a similar mind set. Both the Actionists and Hollein were hence to become pivotal in bringing forward later experimental groups in Austria such as the Co-op Himmelb(l)au.
